[steventhedev]

I've found that cards get better exchange rates than converting cash. Sometimes several dozen percentage points better. However, if you pull the local currency out of an ATM, you get the card network's exchange rate, and at worst an ATM fee (if any).

[icebraining]

Not in my experience (travelling to Budapest). Withdrawing EUR and converting to HUF in a local shop gave us a better rate than withdrawing HUF directly. Never buy stuff with EUR, though!